Special Moments, Special Blessings In the 'Biggest Small Town in Texas'

It has indeed been my great honor to be a ‘guest’ writer for the Friona Star since September 2005 for this Centennial History Awareness Project—Centennial Moments.
When I first began to think about the idea, I was not at all sure that I could write for over a year although I felt certain there were many stories to be told. I hoped to find some other local writers to help me. So, I sat down and tried to think of at least 52 topics to explore during this time and this column has been the result of that. What a wonderful learning experience this has been for me! And there are many other stories out there just waiting to be told and re-told. No doubt, you each have many of your own stories that need to be recorded; please write them down or record them. It helps us to ‘connect’ with both our ancestors and our descendants.
The 50th Anniversary edition of the Friona Star was an invaluable resource as it contained many first person narratives of early Friona residents. The Star has a rich history of recording local history and doing feature articles on our residents. Many excellent stories have been featured over its 81-year history. We are indebted to John W. “Uncle John” White, the first editor of the Star who brought with him valuable newspaper experience when he came from Illinois to our small frontier town of Friona.
The 1956 Maize Days edition was done under W.H. Graham, Publisher, later Bert Neelley and the Ellis Era continued with their great appreciation of history and genealogy. There were many stories by Bill and Carol that provided me with excellent resource material.
But making the connections with others is what has impressed me so. From one generation to another generation, it has happened. We are very fortunate to have several people in their 80s, 90s and even 100s who proved to be valuable assets for most of their many busy years and are blessed with memories to match! That has been fantastic! They have all been so gracious.
Special Centennial Moments:
Watching Roy Miller enjoy his 100th Birthday with his wife Eva, family and friends. (Roy served 12 years on the Library Board as a representative of Evening Lions and his daughter Donna Mears, followed him with 12 years as a representative of Modern Study Club.
Dedicating the Federated Women’s Clubhouse Historical Marker honoring generations of women working to improve our community.
Ringing in our 100th year with the old Congregation Church bell.
Discovering a picture of the 1954 Christmas program in the yearbook documenting Friona’s integration, the only local source.
Going with the FHS Service Learning Students to share their experience at Region 16.
Experiencing an eerie sense of history repeating itself during the wildfires of 2006 and the Great Prairie Fire of 1906.
Hearing singing in the old Congregational Church once again when the Palo Duro Metro Chorus and the Friona High School Choir teamed up for a day of training and performing.
Planning and assisting with the Friona Founding Families Displays and enjoying the family pride they evoked.
Toasting my Girl Scout leaders for being such fine ladies and setting good examples for us at our Christmas Teas with Krista Renner Kemple who shared the story of her great grandparents via her great grandmother Clara Renner’s diary.
Sitting in on my friend Lilah Gaye Gee’s oral history interview by Emily Allen age 16. Lilah Gaye had her 95 birthday in August. (Many priceless oral histories were completed thanks to Wendy Carthel, Patsy Allen, Dollie Lookingbill and other students, Bryan Johnston and Gladys Spring.)
Receiving as a gift over 100 tables and chairs and a large screen TV for the museum from the Service Learning Kids.
Watching the museum come alive on Museum Day. Living history was presented by local residents, the Stitching Post Quilt Club and Service Learning in addition to the Museum Directors.
Enjoying the beautiful May Pole dancers, a recreation of an early activity at Friona’s first church and enjoying the chuck wagon meal in the park.
Gathering historical recipes from past Friona cooks for the Chamber’s Centennial Cookbook.
Celebrating the Special Centennial Postmark designed by Bobby Weid by the Friona Post Office on its 99th birthday with an open house shared with my granddaughters Lexie and Laura Bracken. (Thanks to Cheri Maddox for letting me know about the service and for Postmaster Jack Glover and staff for hosting the event; I really appreciated the former postmasters who made the effort to be there also.)
Seeing the Centennial Steer for the first time and meeting the colorful character Coral Casey and then watching it be transformed by our local artists Bobby Wied, Carol Ellis and Judy Cummings. (Bobby spent 50 hours work painting the steer and old Friona Main Street.) Thanks to Cargill Meat Solutions, Friona Feedyard, Paco Feedyard, NewTex Feed Yard, and Texzona Feedyard for their gracious donations and for assistance by the Depot and the Art Association for sponsoring and donating their talents.
Asking members of the F.W. Reeve, one of Friona’s early mayors, to assist with the re-dedication of the Friona Marker swept away by the 1995 tornado.
Seeing the quilt 96 year old Opal Strictland had made with her mother and then seeing her latest creation just a few weeks ago.
Seeing my own mother and daddy help with Centennial Projects by sharing their talents of quilting and music. (My Mother gave me the apron she made for museum day and my Daddy played on a dulcimer he had made himself in addition to one of his favorite fiddles.)
Helping the Friona Seniors understand about Friona’s first integration and assisting them with the historical marker application. Then getting the marker…the Service Learning Students paid for the marker themselves.
Getting the gift of 105 books plus a set of the Character Counts Program from the Service Learning Students and continuing to watch their work.
Working with volunteers on the Friends of the Library Endowment Committee establish an Endowment Campaign—three year goal $150,000. 2006 contributions—$20,000.
Sponsoring the Vintage Quilt and Historical Photographs Display.
Sponsoring a special edition of our annual Summer Reading Program and rewarding 7 children who were able to follow our program of exercise and character building for the entire summer: Jason and Robin Kelley, Magali and Marleen Moralez, Josalito and Alex Cigarroa, and Cassie Gonzalez.
Receiving the gift of the Gingerbread Christmas Tree from the Friona Banking Center last Christmas.
City of Friona and Friona Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture for their many Centennial activities.
A special thanks to Ron Carr and helpful staff for their gracious sponsoring and assistance with Centennial Moments. I have a much greater appreciation for writers of weekly editions. Tyler Jameson did a great job with the many photographs. I appreciate the generous space allowed and for the online editions. And to all of you, the readers, who have expressed your interest and appreciation for the column. To all of you who helped me thank you for caring and sharing your own histories and experiences with all the rest of us. It is what life in a small community is all about—loving and caring for each other from cradle to grave—connecting. Happy Holidays and Best Wishes for 2007. Let’s make it our best year ever!